Boos and groans scattered across PNC Park earlier in the game with Pedro Florimon serving as the intended targer for not getting a sacrifice bunt down. Florimon had the last laugh however when he hit the game-winning triple giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 9-8 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday night.
“That’s the beauty of what we do it’s designed to break, stretch, pull and tug on your heart,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “It’s fun to watch our men come out there and compete.”
Manager Clint Hurdle offered an Uncle Sam-like directive wanting a starter to get through seven innings of work. Tuesday, Francisco Liriano did just that however ultimately the bullpen was still taxed as the game went into 15 innings.
Much like Gerrit Cole in Monday’s game, Liriano, the Diamondbacks had a two-run first inning. Each of the first four batters reached base in the inning. Paul Goldschmidt hit the first RBI while scored A.J. Pollock. Yasmany Tomas then hit into a double play which scored Aaron Hill.
The Pirates bats however quickly solved Chase Anderson as both Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte singled. Each advanced a base on a Chase Anderson throwing error. Both Andrew McCutchen and Aramis Ramirez recorded sacrifice flies.
Both teams scored a run in the second. Nick Ahmed tripled just past the glove of Gregory Polanco. Anderson then helped his own cause with a single. It was the second consecutive night a Diamondbacks pitcher picked up an RBI. Pedro Alvarez recorded a one-out single and he scored when Francisco Liriano hit an RBI double. That was Liriano’s first career double and gives him a three-game hitting streak. Liriano has hits in four of his past five games.
A Starling Marte home run, his 14th of the season led off the third inning and placed the Pirates in the lead. That was his first home run since July 1. He has now hit safely in all 18 career games against the Diamondbacks.
A three-run fifth inning saw the Pirates get five straight runners on base with two outs. Pedro Alvarez hit an RBI single which plated both Ramirez and Jung Ho Kang. Francisco Cervelli then added a run with his single that scored Neil Walker.
Kang continued the offense with his 10th home run of the season which entered the left field seats. The ball was hit 108 miles-per-hour.
The DIamondbacks saw two men reach base on Liriano removing him from the game. Jared Hughes then allowed a single to Hill and walked Paul Goldschmidt scoring a run. With Tony Watson now in the game, Welington Castillo hit a sacrifice fly to score the second run of the inning. Tomas then recorded an RBI single of his own to conclude that half-inning’s scoring.
Mark Melancon pitched the ninth inning and Ender Inciarte reached base on a Kang error. Hill then singled and Goldschmidt plated both on a Sean Rodriguez error which tied the game. This is Melancon’s second blown save of the season, the first came April 21st against the Chicago Cubs.
The Pirates had the opportunity in the ninth. McCutchen stood on second following a single and a Ramirez ground out. Kang lined a pitch that Goldschmidt made a game-saving grab with. He then threw back to second. McCutchen was initially ruled sage but called out after replay review.
It took 15 innings, the longest game in terms of innings this season, however Florimon delivered, his second hit of the season off Keith Hessler.
“I feel good and did something towards the team winning,” said Florimon.
Joe Blanton [5-2] earned the win and Hessler [0-1] took the loss.
Both the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs lost Tuesday night which means the Pirates trail first place in the National League Central by five games, however lead the race for the first NL Wild Card by three games.
This series concludes Wednesday when J.A. Happ [0-1 4.66 ERA] faces Robbie Ray [3-8 3.29 ERA]. Happ is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four career appearances [three starts].
Of note: Hessler will forever had a bittersweet recollection of his first career major league hit. Hessler got the hit with a leadoff single to left and was out advancing to second base.
“I saw it hit right inside the line and thought it would curve just enough to get over there,” Hessler said. “Marte made a throw on the bag. Yeah I know I probably should’ve stayed on first but I was being aggressive and hopefully getting something started.”
Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer continued their rehab assignments with Triple-A Indianapolis. Harrison went 0-for-3 with a walk and Mercer was 0-for-4. Harrison is batting .053 and Mercer .176 in their stints with the team.
Photo credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
